Boracay Island in Aklan and Panglao Island in Bohol have long been pitted against each other. Both are known to have pristine white beaches, various outdoor activities and vivid night scene. But which island deserves your vote?

1 Sawasdee Ka is used by females and the end word Kap by males. I initially thought that I would use Ka when talking to women and Kap when talking to men. That took me a while.

2 Thailand is the best country for delicious, spicy, cheap and can't-quite-get-over-it gastronomic goodness.

3 It's possible to travel to Thailand on the cheap. Here are a few tips to help you out. But 8,000 PHP for 9 days probably won't be enough as I found out on my challenge.

4 The southern islands of Thailand, Koh Samui and Koh Pangan in particular, are not so rustic after all..

5 It's not so scary to travel alone. In fact, it can actually be quite fun.

6 Thailand (and the world) is filled with generous, kind and friendly strangers so long as you have a ready smile and an open mind. And you might just run into old friends and make new ones on the many islands of Thailand.

7 Full Moon Party on Koh Pangan is a crazy must-do-before-you-die get hitched experience. But don't forget to read the guide before going. Fire jumping and buckets of alcohol just don't mix.

8 If you can skip one touristy thing in Thailand, skip the floating markets. Or at least go to an authentic one.

9 Even if you're having wat-overload from the many temples of Bangkok, Ayutthaya is still worth the few hours drive from the city. Majestic isn't enough to describe this temple complex. And be sure to rent a bike and go around on your own!

10 I've said this many times before, Thailand truly is Ah-mazing. Here's why I keep coming back..

Chichi's 7k Palawan Challenge is a series where she shares all the wonders that Palawan has to offer (with a Sole Sister twist). Watch out for the next post in this series, Battle of the Islands: El Nido vs Coron.

Everyone knows Thailand is the best country for delicious, spicy, cheap and can't-quite-get-over-it gastronomic goodness. It's been months since my last trip but I still have dreams about the yummy street food on Khao San Road. I'm practically salivating as I write this post!

What is it about El Nido that forcefully draws me time and time again?

How to Get to El Nido (A Sole Sister's Story)

Leg 12. El Nido, Palawan

It started in 2004 when I saw that final leg from The Amazing Race 5 where the 3 remaining contestants flew from New Zealand straight to the Bacuit Bay archipelago where El Nido is located. I couldn't believe that such a place existed...and in my own country! I so wanted to go but it was impossible at that time because only chartered (e.g. private and expensive) planes flew to the island.

Fast forward to 4 years later. I was finally going to El Nido to celebrate a special occassion with a special someone. Flights were booked, modest accommodations reserved and itinerary (in excel file) completed. But as it turns out, there was no celebration on that special occassion nor was there a special someone to celebrate it with. (Don't worry, I'm ok! Read about how I coped with it here.)

I asked the travel gods, was I really ever going to set foot in this paradise? How do I get to El Nido?

﻿﻿﻿﻿Yes, you read it right. I was in Bohol for 6 days but I didn't see a single Tarsier. Nor did I go on the Loboc River Cruise. No ziplining either. Pretty boring vacay don't you think? Well, let me tell you what I did do: I rode on top of a chicken bus to an elementary school in the small town of Dusita. I sat down with kids to talk about their ailments and gave them medicine. I spoke to the locals in their native dialect to ask them what life was like in these parts. Of course I didn't do it alone so I made about 30 new friends in the process. And that was just Day 1.

Dave has been on the road for 5 years 10 months 10 days in his quest to find a home. He has travelled overland through Portugal, Poland, Hungary, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Tibet, China and finally...to the Philippines. You may remember Dave as one of the inspirations for Sole Sister Chichi's travels.

﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿Although I prefer traveling with friends rather than traveling alone, I often find myself sporadically replying to the ticketing agent: It's just me. Ticket for one, please. Traveling alone has certain advantages. You have the flexibility to go wherever you want, at any pace you want. You're forced out of your comfort zone to do things you don't normally do like chatting up a stranger or meeting the locals. You make quick decisions because there are no votes to cast, no one to consult and more importantly: No one to please but yourself.

Last weekend I got a small rectangular sized present. It practically fit in my palm and weighed less than a letter. Mountain Safety Research, the label indicated. I opened the box and got- a shammy? I don't even have a car to clean it with!

We Are Sole Sisters is a personal blog to inspire you be mindful, share stories and reinvent your life every day. I believe in the power of words to transport us to worlds deep within ourselves.Know More